Agri-environmental methodology

Fertilizers

The new fertilizer datasets have been prepared using a revised methodology and new dissemination formats. Detailed methodology notes on the new fertilizer dataset can be found in FAOSTAT. The previous fertilizer data collection series in FAOSTAT is continued with this data release.

Pesticides - trade

Pesticides (trade) refer to insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, disinfectants and others covered by the Harmonised Coding System (HS) code 3808. Data refer to the value of the trade expressed in 1000 USD. In view of the Rotterdam Convention FAO statistics is starting with the year 2007, to monitor and identify into FAOSTAT database the trade in pesticides (excluding industrial chemicals) that have been banned or severely restricted for health or environmental reasons.

Pesticides - consumption

The present database refers to the quantity of pesticides used in or sold to the agricultural sector for crops and seeds; data are expressed in metric tons of active ingredients.

Consumption (tonnes of active ingredients) refers to quantities of pesticides applied to crops and seeds in the agriculture sector. Figures are expressed in metric tons of active ingredients. However, due to some country reporting practices, the data may be reported by: consumption in formulated product; sales; distribution or imports for use in the agricultural sector. In these cases it is specified in the country notes.

Land-use

Data on agricultural land-use are valuable for conducting studies on a various perspectives concerning agricultural production, food security and for deriving cropping intensity among others uses. Indicators derived from the land-use categories can also elucidate the environmental sustainability of countries’ agricultural practices. FAOSTAT Land-use statistics contain a wide range of information on variables that are significant for: understanding the structure of a country’s agricultural sector; making economic plans and policies for food security; deriving environmental indicators, including those related to investment in agriculture and data on gross crop area and net crop area which are useful for policy formulation and monitoring.